This is a 2014 photo of Daniel Sorensen of the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football team. This image reflects the Kansas City Chiefs active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2014 when this image was taken. Sorensen, an undrafted rookie, made the Chiefs' 53-man roster.

(, AP)

Brothers Daniel Sorensen and Brad Sorensen had differing experiences as NFL teams cut their active rosters to the league-mandated 53 players this weekend.

For the younger Daniel Sorensen, who played safety at BYU, he made the opening-day roster for the Kansas City Chiefs. The elder Brad Sorensen, a quarterback, was waived by the San Diego Chargers in his second pro season out of Southern Utah.

Daniel Sorensen started all of the Chiefs' preseason games, as starting strong safety Eric Berry dealt with injuries. This week, he had five tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection in the team's preseason finale.

Sorensen was one of two players with Utah ties that went undrafted this season but made a 53-man NFL roster. The other was defensive lineman Tenny Palepoi, who stuck on with the Chargers.

Palepoi, a Skyline High product who played in college at both Snow and Utah, impressed during training camp and in the preseason. During the team's preseason finale this week, he started and had three tackles and a fumble recovery.

Brad Sorensen, meanwhile, completed 22 of 39 passes for 159 yards and two interceptions during the Chargers' four exhibition games. He was also sacked five times. There is the possibility Sorensen could be a candidate for the practice squad, which the NFL recently approved to increase from eight to 10 players.

The Chargers also waived former Utah defensive end Joe Kruger, a Pleasant Grove High product. Kruger, like Sorensen a second-year pro, was claimed off waivers by San Diego earlier in the week after being cut by the Eagles last Saturday. He had four tackles in his lone preseason game with the Chargers.

All totaled, 18 players with Utah ties were cut over the weekend, leaving 35 locals on 53-man NFL rosters and another — the Colts' Stanley Havili — on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

Hadley was waived by the Raiders Saturday. He joined Oakland partway into training camp, signing with the team on Aug. 6, and had three tackles in the Raiders' preseason win Thursday against Seattle.

Bojay Filimoeatu, LB, Utah State (Granger HS)

Filimoeatu was waived by Oakland Saturday. He signed with the team after going undrafted in this year's NFL draft and had 10 tackles in preseason action.

Jake Murphy, TE, Utah (American Fork HS)

The former Utah tight end was waived by the Raiders Saturday. The rookie Murphy, who had two catches for eight yards and a touchdown in preseason play, turned to Twitter to thank the organization: "Thank you @RAIDERS for the opportunity. Great time learning from coaches and other players."

Karl Williams, FB, Utah (Southern Utah and Layton HS)

Williams, who signed with the Raiders as an undrafted rookie free agent, was waived by Oakland Saturday. He played sparingly in the preseason, registering a special teams tackle.

Eathyn Manumaleuna, DL, BYU (Timpview HS)

Manumaleuna, a rookie undrafted free-agent signee, was waived by New England Saturday. He joined the Patriots after being waived by the New York Giants in July.

L.T. Tuipulotu, DL, Utah

Tuipulotu, like Manumaleuna, joined the Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent, but he was also cut by New England Saturday. In the Patriots' preseason finale, he started and had two tackles.

Anthony Denham, TE, Utah

The undrafted free-agent signee was waived by the Houston Texans Saturday. Denham's biggest preseason contribution was a blocked punt that led to a touchdown, and ESPN NFL Nation reporter Tania Ganguli said Houston would like to keep him for the practice squad.

Caleb Schlauderaff, G, Utah

The fourth-year pro was released by the New York Jets Saturday. He played in 12 games, starting one, in three seasons with the Jets.

Jake Doughty, LB, Utah State (Juan Diego HS)

Doughty was waived by the Packers Saturday. Rob Demovsky, a reporter for ESPN NFL Nation Packers, said there is a possibility he could join the Packers' practice squad. Doughty had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery during preseason play.

A.J. Pataiali’i, DT, Utah State (Snow College and Hunter HS)

The rookie undrafted free agent signee was waived by Baltimore Saturday. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported that, according to a source, the Ravens hope to keep Pataiali'i on their practice squad.

Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State

Marsh was released by the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday. The team press release said he showed improvement during training camp, but it did not carry over to the preseason. Marsh, heading into his fourth season in the NFL, has spent nearly his entire pro career with the Eagles, with a short stint in Cincinnati.

Tevita Finau, DT, Utah

The New York Jets confirmed via Twitter Saturday that Finau was released. Finau had been with the Jets since December 2012 and was on the team's practice squad last season.

Sam Brenner, OL, Utah

Brenner, a second-year pro who played in seven games for Miami last year and started four, was waived by the Dolpins Saturday. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that Miami may want to keep him on the Dolphins' practice squad.

D.J. Tialavea, TE, Utah State (West Jordan HS)

Tialavea was among nine rookies waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars Friday. The tight end had four receptions for 23 yards during preseason play, but Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union wrote, "He played with the starters during the first two preseason games, but his play then either leveled off and tailed off."

Pat McQuistan, OL, Weber State

The veteran offensive lineman was released by the Atlanta Falcons Friday. McQuistan, who hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2012, signed with the team on Aug. 19.

Tevita Stevens, OL, Utah

Stevens, a second-year pro who spent last season on Washington's practice squad, was waived by the Redskins Friday. He joined Washington as an undrafted rookie free agent in May 2013.

Comments (19)

1. Utah_State_Fan

Logan, Utah,

Aug. 30, 2014

Always tough when a player gets cut. But I am not surprised Sorensen got
released, he never impressed me while at suu. Inaccurate throws while making
mistake after mistake. Good luck to all Utah players trying to make the NFL.

2. East Coast Ute

Storrs, CT,

Aug. 30, 2014

Congrats, Tenny! Good luck to the rest of these guys. Bummed for Tee Finau,
thought he had a good chance to get on the field this year, but playing for a
team with possibly the most talented D-Line in the NFL it would've been
very tough.

3. 08Stang

Southern, UT,

Aug. 30, 2014

I don't understand this at all. Sorensen was the best quarterback at San
Diego. He was supposed to tear it up just like he did when he was a t-bird. I
think he probably got tired holding the clipboard and wanted to move on.Go
brad t-birds forever!!

4. 08Stang

Southern, UT,

Aug. 30, 2014

Brad was going to tear it up. Those Chargers just didn't give him a chance
to show what he could do. He can throw the football really far.

5. Hailstorm is a coming

Riverdale, UT,

Aug. 30, 2014

I think that Joe Kruger would have been better off staying his final year. It
sure seems to make a difference as, it seems to me,that not many succeed that
Junior year and then declare themselves for the draft.